NORTH-WEST Durham's own spice girl has announced plans to discover the opinions of young people across the district.

Derwentside District Council has appointed Sharon Robinson as project officer to run the Special Project to Implement Children's Elections (SPICE).

She will develop a system of online voting and opinion testing of young people by working with pupils and teachers in schools.

She hopes the scheme will raise young people's awareness of information and communication technology. Pupils aged between four and 18 will have the chance to become involved.

Greenlands Infants School in South Moor, near Stanley was the first to take part in the SPICE project when Sharon visited the reception class.

The project will run until March 2003. Any schools who wish to take part should call (01207) 218242.

The SPICE website will be launched shortly.